Ben Cooley Hall

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

BandRockSinger/Songwriter

Ben Cooley Hall's music, sometimes sparsely arranged and occasionally lush, distills real life into catchy, melodic capsules that are refreshingly unpretentious. He gives his listeners the benefit of his trust and honesty while keeping an appealing sense of lightness and humor.

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Biography

I grew up in a suburb of Boston, singing and playing violin from an early age. I picked up the guitar in college, then moved to Bozeman, Montana, where I joined some other musicians to form an indie-pop quartet called Birdbody Hank. I played bass. We were privileged to open for some terrific national touring acts, including Band of Susans and the Loud Family. Later, after I moved back to Massachusetts, I recorded a 3-song demo at Zippah Studios (1999). I shared it with the staff of [the now legendary] Hi-Fi Records, my local record store, and Deb Klein, the owner, was interested enough to begin collaborating with me. We soon co-founded The Mary Reillys. I wrote, sang, and played guitar, and Deb sang harmony and played bass and guitar. Keira Flynn-Carson later joined on drums. The Reillys won a small following in the Boston indie circuit, and recorded one EP (Sock Is The New Rock, 2001) and one LP (untitled, not yet released). We suspended our active bandhood when Klein relocated to New York in late 2003, but we reunite to play every year or two. I moved to Providence in 2002, and have been based here ever since. In 2008, I began recording and performing solo. My sound reflects influences ranging from the Velvet Underground to Gram Parsons to Big Star to the Pixies. My first solo LP, Owning Up To A Life, was released in 2009. After playing regionally and touring the Pacific Northwest as a solo artist, I went on hiatus from performing and recording in order to pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. I am excited to record more material both new and old, but it will take some time.

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Lyrics

Untrue

I know that I've been untrue.Look out, it could happen to you.You think you're OKwhen you're slippin' away'til there's nothing else left you can do.

I started out when I was small,not knowing how far I could fall.I thought to be free was to always agree,'til I had no conviction at all.

Others might never have known.It seemed like my words were my own.And maybe they were,but it's hard to be surewhen your heart is as hard as a stone.

Some say: a single straw breaks you.But, over time, a slow process wakes you,until you can open your eyesand see how much you've diminished,and know that you are probably finishedunless you start saying what's true--not for other people, for you--and then decide what you will do.

(Bridge background choir lyrics:Some say that it's the straw.But wait, it's been a long time now.That you've been lying down.Now will you stand up?)

I'm lucky I didn't die.Or maybe I did, and that's whyI've come to know that wherever I go,it's my own gut I have to live by.Sometimes I do,and some others slip through.It's called living;I'll give it a try.

Ginger Ale

Written By: Ben Cooley Hall

Life is beautiful;it makes me cry.Thanks to you,I also smile.

You are dear.I was scared.And here we are.I thank everything!

Won't you be my Ginger Ale?Won't you be my whole world?And we'll wake with the sun,and make something new,not alone.

Last night you woke me;I held you in my arms.In your need you gave mea gift so sweet.

The more I opento receive your love,I learn that I am good enoughto love you as I am.

Won't you be my Ginger Ale?Won't you be my whole world?And we'll wake with the sun,and make something new,not alone.

Lot More Coming

Sit you down and listen hereIt's a price that's far too dearto make people near you think you agree

Saying yes when you mean noover time will make you blowbut there are easier ways for you to get free

Don't you realize the painyou're gonna walk into againeach time you denywhat you know insideBaby, there's a lot more coming

Think about your good friend Stevewhom you consulted about needsand what keeps you from acknowledging yours

You said the fear, you said the rageYou said you learned at a young ageNow turn the page, and settle those scores

Don't you realize the painyou're gonna walk into againeach time you denywhat you know insideBaby, there's a lot more coming

Baby, I love you--baby, I doBaby, could you love you tooBaby, that is what I hope for youThe one whose love you need the most is you'cause baby, there's a lot more comingBaby, there's a lot more coming

Discography

Sock Is The New Rock EP, 2001 (with The Mary Reillys)Untitled, not-yet-released full-length LP, 2003-? (with The Mary Reillys)Owning Up To A Life, 2009 (April)

Set List

My typical set is 40-50 minutes long, containing about 10-12 songs. I can adjust set times to work well in a particular bill, venue, or festival.